Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in pictures.

Mr Sillars finished by arguing that he would prefer Scotland to be out of the UK as they receive less control over powers, but insisted Ms Sturgeon would continue to raise support for a referendum with these methods.

He said: “I would like out [of the UK] as a matter of fact because I think we could do things better on our own.

“From the point of view of a big end tactician this should drive up the Scottish grievance that we are being ill-done too.”